Here are 8 basic guidelines to follow when choosing a domain name for your blog:

1. Make it short and sweet (3 words is best)

When a domain name is extremely long, it creates confusion and usually get typed wrongly, which directs potential readers to your competitors. Though, it could be extremely difficult to craft short domain names that are available for registration these days.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a domain name that contains three words as this makes it easy to spell, pronounce and visually appealing.

Take for instance, if you intend to start a blog on a topic like job search tips for Nigerians.

You can strategically place your main keyword: Job search, in your domain name. This could be something like jobsearchportal.com.

You get now, right?

That way, you’ll be more likely to get high rankings for these keywords and that’s free traffic for you.

4. Ensure it carries the focus of your blog

Your domain name should give your readers an idea of what your blog is all about within the shortest period of time.

For example, my domain name is onlinebloggingincome.com and the main focus of this blog is basically teaching blogging tips, which explains why I included it in my domain name.

A well descriptive domain name tells your visitors what your blog is about, the type of content on your blog and what they should be expecting from you.

5. Always go for the .com extension

People are very familiar with the .com extension and will most likely use the extension whenever they intend to visit your site.

So, ensure you try to get the .com top level domain (TLD).

Although, this could be very difficult considering the fact that virtually every English word you can ever think of have already been registered. So, you can always settle for other extensions like “.net” or “.org”.

It doesn’t hurt, anyway.

6. Make it look professional

Now, you’re wondering: “What does been professional has to do with my domain name?”

Stay calm.

A blog that comes with a sub-domain name like www.thislooksugly.wordpress.com or www.mynewwebsite.blogspot.com will definitely kill the profit potencial of your blog.

Did you see how long and ugly the url looks?

These are domains that are under a real domain name, hence the .domain.com extension. Most readers will not really take you serious.

So, getting your own domain name is the best approach to profitable blogging.

7. Make it unique and different

Take it or leave it: there will always be “bigwigs” in your niche who has authoritative and massive following.

But, you don’t necessarily have to copy them. Make your domain name carry a unique and different blend from the norm.

8. Never buy expired domain names

An expired domain name is simply a domain name which the owner failed to renew for certain reasons. Many a blogger would advice you get a domain name that has expired because of the free existing backlinks, traffic and domain page rank.

But, I beg to disagree.

These domains may have been penalized by a Google update, used for spamming in the past or have a very bad history which could be a recipe for failure if you go for them.

Now, you tell me:

“Why would anyone abandon a domain that was profitable?”

Thought so.

Conclusion

Choosing a domain name for your blog actually starts by knowing exactly what you intend to focus on your blog, the topic you want your readers to read and your overall strategy.

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